Shamima Chowdhury
Bangladesh Interim Government head, Chief Adviser Dr. Mohammed Yunus invited Mr. Alex Sorros, Chairman of the Open Society Foundation of his father billionaire George Sorrows and solicited funds as President Donald Trump stopped financing many projects.
Bangladesh economy is in the verge of collapse since 5 August 2024 when students-led and military-backed uprising overthrew its elected government of Sheikh Hasina. Since her fallout, all sectors of the Bangladesh economy is in crisis now mainly because of political instability, lawlessness and anarchy. Recently 68 big factories have been shut down laying off nearly 100,000 workers in Gazipur, Dhaka alone. Annual Development Program (ADB) achieved only 18% lowest in decades and foreign commitments reduced by 71%. Poverty sharply exaggerated and another 10 million pushed to poverty level. Inflation is still double digit. Banks are failing to open LCs because of shortage of foreign exchange and many banks are on the verge of bankruptcy. Since raw materials and inputs are not readily available, many factory capacity remain idle. Because of shortage of inputs and power supply and frequent price hike of energy, tax policy changes, mob attacks and extortion, factories are failing to meet export targets and therefore, buyers are moving away to other countries. Nation’s credit rating deteriorated and no new FDI incoming. Rather many local firms are trying to invest abroad rather than in Bangladesh due to uncertainty. Murder, mob injustice, theft, hijaking and crime has shot up all across the country. Police are virtually non-functioning. As economic activities are at halt, people’s income have reduced and an additional 26.4 million added to the unemployed roster. In addition, as the government has stopped social welfare and security programs for the poor and vulnerable, millions are pushing into extreme poverty. International donor agencies like WB, IMF and ADB lowered the nation’s GDP growth rate from 6.8% to 3.8% one of the lowest in decade. During the last quarter it recorded 1.8% only. All national institutions, for example, judiciary, civil service, local elected bodies, education sector, police, etc have been destroyed and therefore, people are being denied of services. In a recent survey, interestingly 87% wanted reinstatement of past Hasina government.
In addition, by filling thousands of false and fraudulent murder cases against nearly 300,000 supporters of the past government without investigation, the judiciary has become a great tool of extortion and bribes. In addition, the government by seizing and arbitrarily auctioning of private companies and properties created a panicky and threat to future investors. Now the investors are demanding “full guarantee of property rights“ prior to investment.
Unfortunately, since the media is drastically controlled by the Yunus government, many people do not get the true state of the economy at all. If this interim government continues for few more months, Bangladesh may face no point of return to normalcy and stability. Already this government has lost credibility being a nonpartisan broker and people are demanding a new Caretaker government to conduct a free, fair, transparent and all inclusive election guaranteeing level playing field for all parties by August 5, 2025.
Recently, while meeting Alex Sorrows, Chairman of the Open Society Foundation, Dr. Yunus claims that the media and journalists are enjoying complete freedom of press and opinion although he has instructed all media not to publish interviews or columns of any leaders of the past government, the Awami League, the largest and oldest political party of Bangladesh. His advisor said, if anyone writes then they would be punished and their fingers would be cut off.
Let’s examine his tract record of dealing with media during the last 5 months.
During Last 5 Months
• 600+ false murder cases have been filed against journalists in Bangladesh.
• 50+ media and press offices have been attacked and vandalized.
• 6 journalists have been killed.
• 9 journalists have been arrested.
• 100+ journalists have been injured.
• 1000+ journalists have been forced into unemployment or resignation.
• 26 journalists’ bank accounts have been frozen.
• 168 press accreditations have been revoked.
• 18 journalists’ bank accounts have been seized and closed.
• 63 press club memberships have been revoked.
• Ownership of multiple media houses has been forcibly transferred.
- if anyone dares to speak against his government even is social media, his/her pen or finger will be destroyed for life and he/she shall invite death, worse to that of Taliban.
In spite of such threat and actions he loudly stated: “Now media is tasting complete freedom.”
Is Dr. Yunus a liar of first order?
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